I upgraded front brakes of my WRX wagon to STi Brembos with Volk wheels to clear those large calipers.

Can anybody tell me if the stock WRX spare will clear the Brembos to fit on the front? (rear has OEM WRX calipers). (I have better thingsto do than carry out this experiment myself and don't want to wait until a raining 3am to have to find out myself)

That's something I never considered nor have ever seen discussed, but just realized could be a big problem!

thanks,
DrNorm

 

I'm pretty sure it doesn't clear...but if you get a flat on the front you can move a Volk there from the rear and then use the spare on the rear.

 

doh!
sumtimx i knot so smart.
thankz

 

won't the difference in rolling radius between the volks and the spare damage your diff????

 

I have Falken Zeix ze-326 215.45.17 tires which are just 'barely' smaller in diameter than the OEM Bridgestones (I say this b/c I think speedo reads 1-2 mph slow @ 60 mph). I have also seen that comment made in other posts, but each tire brand/model is unique despite "label".

I agree it is not "ideal" to run tires w/ different diameter, but (common sense and I think it addresses this in owner's manual, as well) the spare should really be used only for an emergency, anyway, and should be driven as "gently" as possible and for as short a time as possible.

I wouldn't suggest doing a track-day on your spare. An emergency is an emergency and getting home or to a garage is what it's for. Not practical (cost or space) to have a 215.45.17 spare.

Besides, it's rare (for me at least) to even need the spare. I picked up a screw a few months back, noticed the low tire, LEFT THE SCREW IN PLACE, added some air and drove to the nearest tire repair place and had it plugged. I can only think of a few times in past 30 years that I've actually had to use a spare tire. [Oh Gods of the asphalt...PLEASE don't make me eat my words by that comment!!!!]

norm